Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Opinion

Faneuil Hall in Boston. (Annie Zhou for The Beacon)

The dirty money that built Fanueil Hall

September 27, 2023

Boston is home to lauded sports teams, revered educational institutions, and arguably, even the American Revolution. The popular Boston tourist attraction...

Late Paramount security guard leaves legacy of dedication

Late Paramount security guard leaves legacy of dedication

September 27, 2023

John O’Toole, who worked at Emerson College for 14 years, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Tufts Medical Center. He was 59 years old.  O’Toole...

Illustration by Claire Smith

Spoiler alert: Nobody dies in the end

September 27, 2023

“History, huh? Bet we could make some,” (Mcquiston, 2019).  I spent last week reading my friend’s favorite novel: "Red, White & Royal Blue"...

Illustration by Rachel Choi.

American individualism contributes to class division and prevents collective contribution

September 27, 2023

As privileged communities in America continue to advance, class division increases and the collective consciousness is further disrupted. The narrative...

Should we have school spirit?

Should we have school spirit?

September 20, 2023

After the events of orientation, where eager Emerson freshmen were welcomed by shrill undergrads serenading them in their cars, it's natural for incoming...

Illustration by Kellyn Taylor

‘Y’all means all’: a Southern queer kid’s take on Dylan Mulvaney’s talk

September 20, 2023

After a 27-hour-car ride from Louisiana, my first steps onto Emerson’s campus three weeks ago were in a rush to meet my roommate for the first time....

Illustration by Rachel Choi

#BiWeek and bisexuality as a cultural comparison

September 20, 2023

I didn’t realize how much I had taken for granted being a queer person in New Zealand until I was forced to contend with my sexual identity for the first...

Photo by Ryli Stoker.

The criminalization of unhoused and impoverished populations in “college towns”

September 20, 2023

A lot of Emerson students act like they have never seen unhoused people before.   The first time I picked up on this was in a dorm with a small group...

Illustration by Hailey Akau

“Community” is the tombstone to the episodic sitcom’s grave

September 13, 2023

“Community” is the greatest TV show of all time.  Maybe you think I’m wrong—that I’m stupid or simply misinformed. The 10” x 10” sheet...

Illustration by Rachel Choi

It’s time to retire the term AAPI

September 13, 2023

Growing up Asian, Hispanic, and Kānaka Maoli on the island of Oʻahu, I have always been keenly aware of my racial identity and the way it is viewed by...

Illustration by Kellyn Taylor.

Activism isn’t skin-deep

September 13, 2023

I am sitting with the wettest elbows.  My forearms are slick with water from this morning when I was bent over the sink, washing my face. They will...

The Maximilian Mutchnick Cafe.

Forsake minimalism, embrace the Max

September 13, 2023

The Max, formally the Maximilian Mutchnick Cafe, underwent its now-infamous remodel over the summer. Gone are the homely red tile, oil-slick couches, and...

Creative Commons

Emerson’s “support” of WGA is not enough

July 2, 2023

The Writer’s Guild of America has been on strike since early May over labor disputes due to poor compensation. The strike has paused numerous film and...

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Looking back: Advice for incoming freshmen and sophomores

April 26, 2023

Dear Maddies, How has this year been for you both, navigating through freshman and sophomore year? What’s your crash course to surviving these years...

Illustration by Rachel Choi

The grind don’t stop…until the body is destroyed 

April 26, 2023

Meg I have been dancing since I was two years old. Ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary—pretty much all of it. My feet have only stopped moving...

Illustration by Rachel Choi

Disney is homophobic. What’s new? 

April 26, 2023

Walt Disney Studios has produced a variety of content ranging from high-budget disappointments to low-budget masterpieces; but recent shows have nothing...

Need advice? Use this barcode or visit the story highlight on our Instagram, @berkeleybeacon, and fill us in on all the deets through our anonymous form.

ADVICE: How do I know if someone is right for me?

April 19, 2023

Dear Maddies, I’m struggling with a new relationship, as I’m feeling some anxiety about whether this is the right person for me or not. How do you...

Corporate nihilism for a post–‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ apocalypse

Corporate nihilism for a post–‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ apocalypse

April 19, 2023

I should be stoned for enjoying “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” The movie represents everything I dislike about contemporary children’s cinema:...

Illustration by Rachel Choi

There’s no ‘devil’s advocate’ for eugenics—you’re just bigoted

April 19, 2023

The world’s population has reached eight billion and continues to grow exponentially. In response to the climate crisis and overpopulation, 21st century...

Illustration by Ryan Yau

Let’s put it bluntly: all drugs should be legal

April 19, 2023

It’s 4/20, a day for the predominately white students of Emerson College to ditch class and smoke in the Boston Common, without a care in the world and...